Illinois proves gun laws are racist

Illinois proves gun laws are racist

Under Illinois law, a person seeking to obtain a concealed carry license — and, thus, be “legally” entitled to protect himself in that state — has to first fork over $650, plus take a 16-hour training course that requires time on a range.

Illinois has the most expensive registration fee in the country. Getting a license is an expensive and burdensome proposition. And even then, obtaining “approval” is a tricky proposition, at best. The Cook County Sheriff has said he would object to as many applications as possible so as to send them to a panel that can deny them without explanation. But it’s easier to get a license if you’re white.

The Washington Times has dug into license data. It shows that if you are black and live in a violent and dangerous neighborhood, you are very unlikely to be able to obtain a permit.

Demographic data shows that 90 percent of Illinois’ 73,714 active concealed carry licenses are held by whites who live in middle-class, predominately white neighborhoods with low crime rates. Only 8 percent went to blacks statewide. Of those, fewer than 1 percent went to people living in the poorest ZIP codes.